Masconomet falls to Everett, but Fenway experience outweighs the outcome

Wednesday

Nov 22, 2017 at 10:07 PMNov 22, 2017 at 10:07 PM

Joshua Boyd jboyd@wickedlocal.com

Most of the time, after a loss, you do not want to approach a high school football player.

This evening, Nov. 22 at Fenway Park in Boston, was just different.

The players, coaches, band, cheerleaders and busloads of fans knew how special a football game at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark – and the old Boston Patriots’ first home – was, and they soaked up every moment.

The final of a 36-20 loss to Division 1 powerhouse Everett was almost besides the point. The players from both teams went in, were entirely focused and gave their best, and one of the best teams on the East Coast prevailed. That did not bother Chieftains senior running back Peter Kitsakos one bit.

"It was definitely just one of those things where, no matter what the score is, you’re going to remember it for life," said Kitsakos, who scored a touchdown and ran for 147 yards. "There’s nothing better than being out here with my family and my brothers."

"The people at Fenway have been great to us, they couldn’t be nicer," added Chieftains head coach Gavin Monagle. "This is great, for all of us, especially guys like me who grew up around here [in Revere], I’m not sure if the kids realized how cool it is. They do.

"I couldn’t be happier for the seniors. Kitsakos, it was a super way for him to finish. He got a lot of yards against a good team."

Everett proved just how good they can be, by scoring just 2:06 into the game. Kevin Brown, who ran for 113 yards, started and finished a 7-play, 70-yard drive with a 4-yard run into the end zone. Caio Costa’s point after touchdown was good.

Masco hit right back, wasting little time in moving 78 yards in 10 plays, ending with a 5-yard run for junior Jay Theriault. The PAT was blocked and the score stood at 7-6 just 5:19 into the game.

"They’re a great team. We tried to handle them, we had a week and a half of practice to get ready," said Kitsakos. "We reviewed a lot, and that showed in the first half, when we broke them down a bit."

Masco was able to get a big read on Everett junior Jake Willcox – Colby Jacques executed a perfect pick to give Masco back to ball on their own 14-yard line. A 25-yard pass from Marshall Lastes to Jack Seymour helped send Masco deep into Everett territory to start the second quarter, but a big loss of yardage and an incomplete pass saw a turnover on downs at the Crimson Tide’s 22.

Largely due to Willcox’s passing and Brown’s running, Everett covered those 78 yards. Brown ran in for a 2-yard TD, and a two-point conversion for a 15-6 lead.

Masco only got five yards off their next possession before Lewis Cine blocked a punt and senior Jordan Riggs ran it in. Costa kicked a good PAT and it was 22-6 going into the dugouts at the half.

"[Everett] did a good job. It shows you the depth they have, they’re capable of doing a lot," said Monagle. "I saw a couple of games on tape. They’re really a super team."

Masco did hit back right out of the locker room. A 53-yard touchdown by Kitsakos closed out a nine-play drive. The two-point conversion attempt was no good, and it was a 22-12 score. Masco was not out of this one by any means.

Everett was having none of that. Brown closed out a nine-play drive with a 32-yard run and a Costa PAT. Notably, Theriault did sack Willcox on that drive, but it only served to delay the inevitable, and a 29-12 Everett lead.

Everett got the ball right back after a 3-and-out and a punt from deep in Masco territory gave the Crimson Tide just 22 yards to cross. Even with a 10-yard penalty putting them back to the 32, it took them just two plays. Willcox (11-13, 138 yards) hit Mike Sainristil for a 32-yard pass and a 36-12 lead.

Masco still had gas in the tank, and closed out a five-play, 90-yard drive with a halfback pass from Kitsakos to Seymour. Theriault got in for two more points, which settled what turned out to be the final score of 36-20.

"In the last game of my life, it was a great team effort and I couldn’t be happier," added Kitsakos. "Tremendous teammates have led me to be the player I am. Without the offensive line I had I wouldn’t have broken as many runs as I did. I’m happy with how the season went and I’ll miss it for sure."

Monagle will certainly miss his 2017 group. The Chieftains finished 7-4, and were able to pick up a playoff win in their first game, late in the contest against Woburn.

"I’m really proud of the kids. The effort was great. It’s been tough since we got knocked out [by Super Bowl team Lincoln-Sudbury, on Nov. 3]. They did a great job against Newton South and they’ve been mentally grinding it out at practice every day. Then, to go up against the No. 1 team in the state, they get up for it, but it’s tough because they’re so good."

Thanksgiving Day was going to be very different for Coach Monagle.

"Now, it’s time to relax and enjoy tomorrow," he said, outside of the Fenway gates. "It’s the first time I can sleep late and enjoy Thanksgiving."